Nan Huaijin on Spiritual Cultivation: The Greatest Learning is Self-Discovery

Editor's Note

Master Nan Huaijin (1918-2012) was a renowned contemporary scholar of Chinese classics, proficient in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. He dedicated his life to promoting traditional Chinese culture and authored dozens of works including "Interpretation of the Analects," "Side Reading of Mencius," and "Lao Tzu Speaks." This article is compiled from Master Nan's numerous teachings and dialogues.

I. What is True Spiritual Cultivation

Q: Many people talk about spiritual cultivation. What exactly is it?

Nan Huaijin: Spiritual cultivation is not escaping reality, not hiding in mountains to meditate, and certainly not doing strange things.

The essence of spiritual cultivation is "modifying behavior." Wherever your thoughts, speech, and actions are incorrect, modify them. This is true spiritual cultivation.

The ancients said: "Cultivate the self, regulate the family, govern the state, bring peace to the world." Self-cultivation comes first. If you cannot manage your own body and mind well, how can you manage other things?

Q: How long does it take to achieve success in spiritual cultivation?

Nan Huaijin: The question itself is wrong. Spiritual cultivation is not about achieving anything, but about discovering what you already have.

You are originally a Buddha, originally a sage, only covered by delusions and attachments. The process of cultivation is to remove these coverings and restore your original face.

It's like dust on a mirror. When wiped away, the mirror's brightness appears. You haven't added anything to the mirror; you've removed what shouldn't be there.

II. How to Cultivate in Daily Life

Q: We are all laypeople with jobs and lives. How can we cultivate?

Nan Huaijin: Cultivation for laypeople is more difficult than for monastics, but also more meaningful.

You can cultivate in daily life:

First, Cultivate "Letting Go"

Work seriously when working, and let go of work after hours. Don't let your body go home while your mind stays at the company.

Many people live exhausted lives because they don't let go when they should. Thinking about work while eating, thinking about tomorrow's matters while sleeping—how can you not be tired?

Second, Cultivate "Focus"

Focus on whatever you're doing. Drink tea properly when drinking tea; don't look at your phone while drinking tea.

The ancients said: "Focus the mind on one point, and nothing cannot be accomplished." If your mind can focus, you can do anything well.

Third, Cultivate "Compassion"

Have compassion for family, colleagues, and friends. Compassion is not weakness; it's genuinely thinking of others.

When you sincerely care for others, they can feel it. Relationships between people become harmonious.

Q: What about facing difficulties and setbacks?

Nan Huaijin: Difficulties and setbacks are excellent opportunities for cultivation.

When everything goes smoothly, you think your cultivation is good. But when difficulties arise, you discover your concentration isn't sufficient, your wisdom isn't enough.

So the ancients said: "Eight or nine out of ten things don't go as expected, and few can be shared with others." These unsatisfactory events are tempering you, achieving you.

You should be grateful for these difficulties; they are your teachers.

III. About Life and Death

Q: Many people fear death. How should we view this issue?

Nan Huaijin: Life and death are natural laws. What is there to fear?

Flowers bloom in spring and fall in autumn; this is nature. Humans are the same—birth, aging, illness, and death are normal.

Fear of death comes from not understanding life. You think death means nothing exists anymore, so you're afraid.

But traditional Chinese culture tells us that life is cyclical. This body is like a garment—when it's old and worn, change it for a new one.

Of course, I'm not telling you to seek death. When alive, live well; complete what needs to be done. When dying, leave freely.

Q: How can one leave freely?

Nan Huaijin: Practice letting go in daily life.

If you hold onto everything tightly in daily life, how can you let go at death?

So train yourself: cherish when you have, accept calmly when you lose.

Come joyfully, leave cleanly. This is elegance.

IV. About Reading and Learning

Q: You've read many books in your life. What is your reading method?

Nan Huaijin: Reading is not about quantity but quality.

Modern people read many books but swallow them whole without truly digesting them.

My reading method is:

First, Read Classics

What are classics? Books that have withstood thousands of years of time and are still passed down.

"The Analects," "Mencius," "Lao Tzu," "Zhuangzi"—these are classics. Classics contain great wisdom, truths that transcend time and space.

Second, Read Repeatedly

A classic should be read repeatedly throughout your life.

Understanding it one way in childhood, another way in middle age, and yet another in old age.

Classics are like spring water—every time you draw from them, you get fresh water.

Third, Practice

Read books and act accordingly.

If you read "The Analects" but don't follow Confucius' teachings, what's the point of reading?

Knowing without doing is not truly knowing. When you truly know, you will naturally do.

Q: Modern people are too busy to read. What should they do?

Nan Huaijin: Time is like water in a sponge—if you squeeze, there's always some.

The time you spend scrolling on your phone each day, if used for reading, you could read many books in a year.

The key is whether your mind is calm. If not, even given a whole day, you won't be able to read.

If your mind is calm, reading half an hour daily is better than others.

V. Advice for Young People

Q: Young people today are under great pressure. What advice do you have?

Nan Huaijin: Every generation has its own pressures, not just yours.

When I was young, the country was in turmoil, life was difficult—the pressure was much greater than yours.

But pressure can become motivation.

My advice is:

First, Have Ideals

Live with ideals and goals. Not just to make money and buy a house, but to do something meaningful.

With ideals, immediate difficulties become insignificant.

Second, Keep Learning

Lifelong learning, continuous progress. The world changes rapidly; if you don't learn, you'll be eliminated.

Learning is not just about knowledge, but also about conducting yourself and doing things.

Third, Maintain Health

The body is the capital of revolution. Don't overdraft your health when young; you'll regret it when old.

Early to bed, early to rise, moderate diet, appropriate exercise—these seem simple but are important.

Fourth, Be Content

Desire is a bottomless pit that can never be filled.

Know what you truly need; don't be swept up by consumerism.

A simple life is actually happier.

VI. Final Instructions

Q: Please give us your final teaching.

Nan Huaijin: I have no special teachings; these are all old sayings.

But old sayings are often the most important truths.

Finally, I'll give you a few phrases:

First: Be Sincere in Conduct

Be sincere with yourself, be sincere with others. Sincerity is the greatest wisdom.

Second: Be Steadfast in Action

Don't aim too high without a foundation. Start with small tasks before you. When every small thing is done well, big things naturally succeed.

Third: Be Humble in Learning

Pride brings loss, humility brings benefit. The more humble you are, the more you learn.

Fourth: Be Simple in Life

A simple life gives you more time and energy to pursue what's truly important.

Alright, that's enough. Work hard, everyone. Your future is boundless.

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Afterword

Master Nan Huaijin passed away on September 29, 2012, at the age of 94. He taught continuously throughout his life, authored numerous works, and influenced several generations of Chinese people's understanding of traditional culture.

The Master often said: "I have nothing to give you. I can only help you discover what you already have."

This is perhaps the best education—not indoctrination, but awakening.

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This article is compiled from Master Nan Huaijin's numerous teachings, preserving his conversational style to more authentically convey the essence of his thought.